Monday, July 14, 2025

The storms, produced by a DANA, which is an isolated high-level depression, have forced roads to close and train services to be suspended in several major cities, such as Zaragoza, Barcelona and Girona. The stormy weather led to AEMET, the Spanish Meteorological Agency, issuing a raft of weather warnings for both tourists and locals.

Here’s a full breakdown of forecast, what’s still to come, travel problems and key safety tips for your destination destination.

Spain is being lashed by heavy downpours and flash flooding caused by a DANA phenomenon of extreme rain, caused by a river of cold air at high levels and warm Mediterranean air. This collision causes atmosphere instability, in return causing severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and sometimes hazardous hail storms.

The northeast of Spain, particularly the regions in and around Zaragoza, Barcelona and Girona, the worst-hit tourist areas.

Warnings have been issued by the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET) for several provinces:

Red Alert (highest danger level):

Especially around the Ebro River area, including Tarazona, where up to almost 100mm of rain could fall in an hour.

Orange Alert (significant risk):

The provinces of Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza

provinces of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona

Castellón province

Yellow Alert (moderate risk):

Other NE and Central including BALEARICS, CANTABRIAN etc

More than 50 liters per square meter are forecast in some parts of the country, with flooding considered likely in towns, and in both urban and rural areas.

Flooding is expected to be severe in Zaragoza’s Ebro River area, in particular around Tarazona. The emergency services, including Spain’s Military Emergency Unit (UME), are working to rescue and aid the affected. Access roads along the Ebro were either shut or allowed through only with great difficulty. Local authorities do not recommend non-essential travel to the affected areas.

Severe downpours hit Barcelona with some neighbourhoods receiving more than 150 mm of rain. The floods have affected the city’s transport system, with train operator Renfe temporarily halting services, metro and tram services interrupted and delays on the roads. Tourists are encouraged to verify transportation services in advance.

Flooding waters also cut off travel routes in record time in Girona especially in the ancient city center. Water recedesOfficials told residents and tourists to stay inside until the water goes down.

Intermittent heavy rain and thunderstorms persists in Lleida and Tarragona provinces. Flash flooding is a concern on rural roads and through farmland. There is also a risk of travellers on minor routes, close to rivers or low-lying fields.

Castellón province is on orange alert for heavy rain and tide risk. There is potential for localised disruption to local roads, ferries and to operations at ports, especially in coastal communities. Travelers are encouraged to monitor local conditions and follow the instructions of local authorities.

The Balearic Islands, as well as Mallorca and Ibiza and in areas of the northern Cantabrian coast are expected to see heavy rainfall and thundery showers. The local coast guard warns of dangerous sea conditions and advises against visiting beaches, marinas, or engaging in any sea activities until the weather improves.

Police in Spain activates emergency protocols, deploying “prime emergency response” UME and local rescue units to the hardest-hit areas, including Zaragoza. Authorities strongly recommend:

No non-essential travel in clearance areas

Not trying to swim, wade or even walk across floodlled roads or rivers

Staying informed via official sources such as AEMET and by government announcements.

Stocking up on needed emergency supplies if living in affected areas, like water, food, medications, and flashlights

The Spanish Government insists on the need for collective collaboration in responding to emergency situations, following the instructions of authorities and taking the appropriate safety measures required for effective and efficient recovery.

And visitors, whether already in or heading to other areas of Spain with outbreaks should:

Please check official weather sources for updates from AEMET and your local authorities regularly

Expect and prepare for delays, cancellations, rerouting and disruptions to transportation services

Check on flights, trains and road conditions before you travel as scheduled

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Keep travel plans as flexible as possible, and build in the option to adjust or cancel when necessary

Be on the lookout in the outdoors, since outdoor activities and travellers are at risk as well, especially near rivers, streams, canyons and beaches during rain.

Although current intensity will continue for another few days, affected areas should continue to stabilize eventually over the next few days with thunderstorm activity remaining local.

As the DANA system slowly pulls away, the rainfall rates are also expected to ease. But a continued need to be wary of isolated thunderstorms. Residents and visitors to the northeast and coastal areas of Spain are being asked to remain informed and to follow the advice of the authorities, and to put their own personal safety first until the emergency is fully resolved.